USA > Iowa > Black Hawk County > History of Black Hawk County, Iowa, and its people, Volume II > Part 46
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In that year, however, Mr. See turned his attention to commercial pursuits and entered the office of the Waterloo Skirt & Garment Company. Gradually he worked his way upward, became one of the stockholders and on the Ist of January, 19II, was elected treasurer of the company, in which capacity he has since served, largely assisting in the management and control of the financial affairs of the business. Thi's is one of the important manufacturing interests of Waterloo. The company owns a large plant splendidly equipped with the latest improved ina- Vol. II -23
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chinery for cutting the garments and facilitating the work of making the skirts, petticoats and other things manufactured by the house. They utilize ten thousand yards of cloth daily and that their business is an extensive one is indicated by the fact that their trade extends from the Atlantic to the Pacific. They have eighteen traveling salesmen upon the road and the house has a well established reputation for reliability as well as enterprise. It is a factor in Waterloo's prosperity in that it furnishes employment to a large force of operatives in the factory and through its sales brings to the city a considerable capital.
In 1902 Mr. See was united in marriage to Miss Lillian Bennett, of Waterloo, by whom he has four children, namely : Walter, Robert, Kenneth and Frances. The family attend the Grace Methodist Episcopal church and Mr. See contributes generously to its support. He holds membership with the Masonic lodge and also in the Town Criers Club and in the Commercial Club and Board of Trade. He is a public-spirited citizen, interested in all plans and projects for the benefit and upbuilding of Waterloo, and in these plans he is often a hearty cooperant. He belongs to that class of men in whom America takes just pride-the class known as self-made, for he started out in life empty-handed and has worked his way steadily upward, depending upon his own resources from early youth. His powers have grown through the exercise of effort and each forward step has brought him a broader outlook and wider opportunities until he is today a leading factor in the manufacturing circles of his adopted city.
PHILIP KOESTER.
Philip Koester is secretary of the Waterloo Sash & Fixture Works and as such a factor in the industrial activities of his city. He was born in Hessen, Germany, on the 25th of March, 1865, a son of Jacob and Elizabeth Koester, both of whom are still residents of Germany. The son was reared under the parental roof to his seventeenth year and was educated in public and private schools. The opportunities of the new world attracted him and in 1882 he came to the United States, making his way at once to Waterloo.
Both his father and grandfather had been cabinetmakers and Philip Koester had learned the trade under their direction in Germany. After locating in Water- loo he secured employment in the furniture factory of Daniels & Slade. He was then a lad of but seventeen years, but with courage and determination he faced life with its duties and responsibilities. He applied himself diligently to the work in hand. He had previously learned drafting and this stood him in good stead. His fidelity and adaptability enabled him to win promotion from time to time and four years later he was made foreman of the plant, remaining with that firm for twenty-two years, eighteen years of which time he was foreman. No higher testimonial of capability, merit, efficiency and fidelity can be given than the fact that he was retained in that postion of responsibility through all those years not- withstanding the fact that the house underwent various changes in organization and ownership. It was first merged into the Beck, Nauman & Watts Company and subsequently into the Nauman Company, controlling one of the largest manu- facturing plants for bank and office fixtures in the state.
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In 1904 Mr. Koester resigned his position with the Nauman Company and became one of the organizers of the Waterloo Sash & Fixture Works, manufactur- ing bank and office fixtures, doors, sash and stair work. The business has grown continually and has been developed into one of the important manufacturing industries of Waterloo. The success of the enterprise is attributable largely to the efforts of Mr. Koester, whose practical knowledge of the mechanical phase of the business as well as liis skill in directing its financial interests has made it a prosperous undertaking.
In 1885 Mr. Koester was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Witnaur, who was born in Black Hawk county, her parents being natives of Switzerland and early settlers of this county. Our subject and his wife have five sons and two daughters, namely : Elsie Elizabeth, who is the wife of F. M. Shortridge of Des Moines ; Ralph P. and Philip, Jr., both of whom are employed in the Waterloo Sash & Fixture Works; Frederick, who is a senior in the high school; Madaline; William, a high-school student; and Emmons.
Fraternally Mr. Koester is identified with the following organizations : Water- loo Lodge, No. 105, A. F. & A. M .; Tabernacle Chapter, No. 52, R. A. M .; Ascalon Commandery, No. 25, K. T .; Crescent Council, No. 16, R. & S. M .; El Kahir Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S .; the Consistory, having taken the thirty-second degree in the Scottish Rite, and the Brotherhood of American Yeomen. Mr. Koester has studied political situations and questions in America and has long been a stalwart advocate of the republican party. He and his family are members of the Lutheran church and his life has ever been actuated by high and honorable prin- ciples. He is prominent as a business man whose constantly expanding powers have taken him from humble surroundings into the field of large enterprise and continually broadening opportunities. He has ever brought to bear a clear under- standing that readily solves complex problems and unites into a harmonious whole unrelated and even diverse interests.
D. F. MYTHALER.
D. F. Mythaler, carrying on both farming and mercantile pursuits, resides on section 32, Cedar township, and for the past fifteen years has conducted a hardware and implement establishment at Washburn in association with his brothers, William E. and George F. His birth occurred in Cedar township, this county, in April, 1873, his parents being Frederick and Matilda (Foulk) Mythaler, the former a native of Germany and the latter of Pennsylvania. Frederick Mythaler emigrated to the United States when eighteen years of age. living first in Pennsylvania and subsequently in Ohio and Illinois. He learned the cabinetmaker's trade after coming to this country but eventually abandoned that occupation and journeyed overland from Illinois to Black Hawk county, Iowa, in 1864, being a pioneer settler in this county. At that time he purchased and improved one hundred and sixty acres on section 32, Cedar township, and later bought more land until his holdings aggregated two hundred and ninety- four acres, ninety-four acres thereof being on section 6. In 1883 he leased the place and took up his abode in Waterloo, where he made his home until 1892 or
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until his children had received the advantages of the school training there of- fered. He then returned to his farm and thereon spent the remainder of his life, passing away on the 29th of May, 1911, when the community mourned the loss of one of its esteemed and representative citizens. His widow still resides on the old home place in Cedar township, together with her sons, D. F. and William E. The family numbered five children, as follows: Minnie J., who is a resident of Tacoma, Washington; Emma L., also a resident of Tacoma, and the widow of Paul Oliver, who died in 1914; D. F., of this review ; William E .; and George F.
D. F. Mythaler was reared and educated in this county, being graduated from the West Side high school at Waterloo with the class of 1890. Subsequent to his father's death he and his brother William E. took charge of the home farm, the active work of which is under the supervision of the latter, as D. F. Mythaler is engaged in the management of a hardware and implement estab- lishment at Washburn which the brothers opened fifteen years ago. In connec- tion with his brother William E., our subject owns two hundred and ninety- three acres of land in Canada. His business interests are carefully conducted and success has rewarded his efforts until he is now numbered among the enter- prising and substantial citizens of his native county.
In October, 1896, Mr. Mythaler was united in marriage to Miss Amanda Hoover, a daughter of Daniel and Sarah (Steel) Hoover, who were born in Ohio, became pioneer settlers of Black Hawk county, Iowa, and now reside ou a farm in Idaho. To Mr. and Mrs. Mythaler were born seven children, namely : Mabel E., Pearl G., Belva J., Fern M., Alice M., Beulah J. and Kenneth H. The wife and mother was called to her final rest on the 2d of December, 1912, passing away after a month's illness.
Mr. Mythaler gives his political allegiance to the republican party and has been a member of the school board for four terms, serving as its president dur- ing three terms of that period. The cause of education has ever found in him a stalwart champion and helpful worker. His religious faith is that of the Christian church. He has resided in this county continuously from his birth to the present time, and that his life has ever been upright and honorable is indicated in the fact that the associates of his boyhood and youth are still num- bered among his warm friends and admirers.
D. B. KIMBALL.
D. B. Kimball is the manager of the Kelley Manufacturing Company of Water- loo, to which city he came three years ago to enter into his present business con- nections. He was born in Galesburg, Illinois, in 1873, and there spent his youth- ful days, acquiring his education in the public schools of that city and as a student in Knox College. When his text-books were put aside he made his initial step in the business world as a salesman in the employ of the W. I. McKee Lumber Company, with offices at Quincy, Illinois, and represented that company upon the road for eight years. In that connection he traveled to the coast, where he purchased lumber which he would ship back to Illinois and there place it on the
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market. In 1911 he came to Waterloo, having been offered the position of man- ager of the Kelley Manufacturing Company, engaged in the manufacture of kerosene engines, drays, and graders. In this connection he has supervision of the plant and he is thoroughly familiar with the trade. His efforts are an element in the success of the business, for he himself carefully directs the labors of those who serve under him so that there is no useless expenditure of time, money or material.
In 1903 Mr. Kimball was united in marriage to Miss Laura Dolbear, of Rock- ford, Illinois, and they have one daughter, Florence. The parents are consistent and faithful members of the First Congregational church, and Mr. Kimball holds membership in the Commercial Club and Board of Trade. He is also connected with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and the Royal Arcanum and in all of these organizations has many friends, his good qualities winning for him the high and enduring regard of those with whom he has come in contact.
ELI MESSER.
Eli Messer is well known as a successful breeder and raiser of Holstein and Ayrshire cattle and Hampshire hogs. He bears an equally enviable reputation as a breeder of fancy chickens and his business has reached extensive proportions. His place is located on section 19, West Waterloo township, and the business is under the exclusive supervision of Mr. Messer, a wide-awake, alert and energetic business man, whose carefully directed labors have resulted in the attainment of gratifying success.
Mr. Messer was born in Tama county, Iowa, in 1880, and is a son of John and Catherine Messer. The mother passed away in Tama county, August 19, 1910, and the father, who for many years followed agricultural pursuits, is now living retired at Dysart, Iowa. In the family were eight children : Edward, whose home is at Van Nuys, California; Eli, of this review; Elizabeth, who is the wife of Andrew Meahlhouse : Clara, who gave her hand in marriage to Henry Zoble, of Dysart, Iowa ; Earl, who lives near Dysart; Esther, who is attending school and is still at home ; and Elsie and Gladys, who are also yet school students.
Eli Messer spent his youthful days upon his father's farm with the usual experiences and training that fall to the lot of the farm lad who divides his time between the duties of the schoolroom and the work of the fields. As he advanced in age and strength he formulated his plans for a life work and as the years have gone on he has developed his powers. His early education was acquired in the public schools of Tama county and in addition to a high-school course at Dysart he took the short course at Ames two years. He remained at home until twenty- four years of age and then started out in business on his own account. For about ten years he was engaged in farming in Tama county and in 1913 he purchased a half interest in the farm upon which he now resides, his partner in the enter- prise being William Galloway. He has a valuable property, pleasantly and con- veniently situated on section 19, West Waterloo township. His land comprises one hundred and eighty acres and from his fields he annually gathers good har- vests. He is more widely known, however, as a breeder of fine cattle, hogs and
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chickens. He makes a specialty of Holstein and Ayrshire cattle and of Hampshire hogs. He handles a number of the finest breeds of chickens, including the Barred Rock, the Rosecomb, the Rhode Island Red, S. C. White Leghorns, the Buff Orpington and the Rouen Ducks. He handles pure blooded stock and breeds and raises cattle, hogs and chickens for sale. His labors are an important element in the work of raising the standard of stock produced in this section of the state.
Mr. Messer's farm of one hundred and eighty acres is highly improved and is among the most attractive and valuable in the state. None of the accessories and conveniences of a model farm of the twentieth century are lacking thereon and the place presents a splendid appearance, constituting one of the attractive features in the landscape. In addition to his stock breeding and raising interests he is a stockholder in the Savings Bank of Dysart and also owns stock in the Farmers Lumber Company and the Tama Benton Grain & Elevator Company of Dysart. These, however, are but side issues to the main feature of his business. He not only believes in improving the grade of stock raised but is a believer equally as well in breeding up his seed corn and other grains and he cuts his alfalfa four times a year.
In 1904 Mr. Messer was united in marriage to Miss Lydia A. Trepp, a native of Grundy county, Iowa, and a daughter of Christian and Anna Trepp. The father died in Grundy county and the mother is still living in Ackley, Iowa. In their family were ten children: Henry, who makes his home in White, South Dakota ; Mrs. Lydia A. Messer; Mrs. Sarah Miller, living at Fostoria, Iowa ; Thomas, whose home is in Ackley, Iowa; Lowell, deceased; Mrs. Ann Schultz, also living at Ackley ; Wesley, whose home is in Pasadena, California ; Reba, the wife of Fred Dentel, of Faulkner, Iowa ; and Mabel and Vera, both teaching. Mr. and Mrs. Messer have become the parents of two sons and two daughters, namely : Thelma I., who was born in 1905; Netha G., whose birth occurred in 1906; and Quentin E. and Vern P., who were born in the years 1907 and 1910 respectively.
The family are adherents of the Evangelical faith, and in his political views Mr. Messer is a stalwart republican. He keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day but does not seek nor desire office, preferring to concentrate his energies upon his business affairs, which are of growing volume and impor- tance. He is today one of the leading stock-raisers of the county and his work has been of the utmost value to the community in advancing the standard of stock raised. He early recognized the eternal principle that industry wins and industry became the beacon light of his life, leading him from one advanced step to another until he today occupies a position of prominence and distinction in connection withi his chosen labors.
J. G. WESTPHAL.
J. G. Westphal is a nurseryman and farmer living on section 20, Mount Ver- non township, where he has property known as the Evergreen nursery and fruit farm. A native of Germany, he was born in the city of Hamburg in October, 1848, and was brought to America by his parents in 1856, when a little lad of about eight.
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Mr. and Mrs. Westphal have become the parents of a son and two daughters: Max M., who was born in 1888 and is now interested with his father in the nursery business, with which he is thoroughly acquainted; Elsie, at home; and Dorothy, who is attending school. Mr. Westphal frequently votes with the dem- ocratic party, yet is liberal in his views and does not consider himself bound by party ties. He and his family hold to the faith of the Lutheran church and they are highly esteemed people. Mr. Westphal has never sought to figure promi- nently in any connection outside of business. He has displayed the spirit of initiative in establishing a business of this character in Black Hawk county. Enterprise, determination and persistent effort, however, have been his guide and upon these qualities he has builded his success.
MICHAEL THOMAS GLEASON.
Although he lived a quiet and somewhat uneventful life Michael Thomas Gleason displayed many sterling traits of character that won him warm esteem and made his death deeply regretted by all who knew him. He was long a resi- dent farmer of Lincoln township. His birth occurred in Missouri, January 18, 1853. His parents were Martin and Sarah Gleason, both natives of Ireland, the latter born in Tipperary. They became farming people of Black Hawk county and died in Lincoln township. They had a family of three children, Ruth, Michael Thomas and John.
Michael Thomas Gleason was a poor boy with comparatively limited advan- tages. His education was acquired in the schools of Missouri and of Clinton, Iowa, and he personally paid the expenses of his education. His parents were farming people and he worked at home and for neighboring farmers until twenty- five years of age, when he went to Davenport, where he was employed for a time in a store. He carefully saved his earnings until he got a start, after which he returned to Clinton and later came to Black Hawk county. In Lincoln township, on the 17th of June, 1887, he was united in marriage to Miss Catherine Quinn, who was born in Mankato, Minnesota, May 6, 1866, and was there reared to womanhood. Her father, James Quinn, was born in County Longford, Ireland, and was a farmer by occupation. In that country he wedded Mary Ann Ryan and later came to the United States, settling in Blue Earth county, Minnesota, but afterward removed to Black Hawk county, where their remaining days were passed in Lincoln township. The Indians were far more numerous than the white settlers in Minnesota at the time Mr. Quinn took up his abode there. In his family were six children, James, Thomas. Mary, John, Lizzie and Catherine. The last named became Mrs. Gleason. She was about nineteen or twenty years of age when her parents came to Black Hawk county, settling in Lincoln township.
At the time of their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Gleason took up their abode upon a farm and with characteristic energy he began to further develop and improve the place, which comprised one hundred and eighty acres. There were good buildings upon it when he took possession. He built a house, barn and sheds for the machinery, enclosed the place and divided it into fields of convenient size by well kept fences, set out orchards and made other improvements which greatly added
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to the value of the farm. His crops, too, were carefully cultivated and brought to him a good financial return annually.
To Mr. and Mrs. Gleason were born seven children : Ambrose, who died aged eleven years ; and Verna, Mary, Catherine, Margaret, Leo, Clara Coretta, all now at home. In politics Mr. Gleason was a democrat but did not seek nor desire pub- lic office. He was a member of the Catholic church and he possessed many estimable traits of character. He was kind, loved his home and was a devoted husband and father. He was also an esteemed citizen and his death was the occasion of deep and wide-spread regret to his many friends as well as to his family.
HUDSON SAVINGS BANK.
The Hudson Savings Bank was founded as a private bank by John H. Leavitt and James H. Washburn with a capital stock of ten thousand dollars. Its found- ers are both deceased. They erected the building which was vacated only in January, 1914, when a removal was made to the present fine bank building recently erected. For two years the institution was conducted as a private bank but in March, 1893, the Hudson Savings Bank was incorporated with a capital of fifteen thousand dollars and a fifty year charter, taking over the business of the old private bank. In January, 1901, the First National Bank was organized with a capital of twenty-five thousand dollars, with the same list of shareholders and operated in connection with the Hudson Savings Bank until July 1, 1912, at which time the stock of the Hudson Savings Bank was increased to fifty thousand dollars and the business of the two banks consolidated and continued as one bank. The institution has had three presidents: John H. Leavitt, Thomas Loonan and Frank R. Hollis ; and three cashiers : James H. Washburn, L. R. Peifer and C. W. Bedford. Of the original board of directors three remain on the present board : F. R. Hollis, James Faulkner and J. M. Slusher.
The stock of the bank is held almost entirely by local business men and farmers and the prosperity of the community has gone hand in hand with the activity and growth of this strong institution. The management of the Hudson Savings Bank has always been in the care of experienced bankers and practical business men. The strength and stability of the bank has never been questioned. The growth of this institution has been constant and permanent and at this time their statement shows a paid up capital of fifty thousand dollars and total assets of over three hundred thousand dollars. The best proof of satisfactory service is constant growth. The business had so increased that the former quarters became inade- quate and plans were made and work begun on a new building, resulting in the erection of the present fine business block now occupied by the bank. The present officers are: Frank R. Hollis, president; James Loonan, vice president ; C. W. Bedford, cashier: J. W. Mccluskey, assistant cashier : while in connection with the officers, William J. Gutknecht, J. M. Slusher, James Faulkner and Ira Roda- mar are on the board of directors.
The bank building is located on Main street and is of solid brick construction with stone trimmings. The building is twenty-nine by seventy feet and presents
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both an attractive exterior and interior, in which architectural beauty is combined with permanency and usefulness. The second story is used as a public hall and is thoroughly equipped for entertainments. The first floor is used entirely for banking purposes and in planning the building all other items have been sub- ject and incidental to the making of the banking office and other rooms on the first floor so as to promote the convenience and comfort of the officers and patrons of the bank. The banking room has a heavy quartered oak beam ceiling with white Italian marble wainscot and verde antique marble trimming. There is a tile floor and all of the woodwork is quarter-sawed oak. There are a well appointed director's room, committee rooms and also a private room just back of the cashier's desk for the use of officers in transacting business of a confidential nature with customers. The vault is a two-story affair built out of solid cement and reinforced with steel bars running both ways. In the basement the vault is used for storage purposes only. On the first floor there is a department filled with safety deposit boxes which are divided from the bank's cash vault by a steel partition. There are two hundred safety deposit boxes and nothing has been spared in furthering the interests of the bank and its patrons. The building is one of the finest in the state and would be a credit to a city of much greater size than Hudson.
F. B. BALLOU.
F. B. Ballou is actively engaged in business as a member of the firm of Ballou & Smart, buying, selling and trafficking in engines, threshing machines and attach- ments, whose establishment is located at the corner of Duryea and Rock Island avenues in Waterloo. His birth occurred in Wyoming county, New York, in 1850, and he supplemented his preliminary education by an academic course of study in his native state. In 1867, when a youth of seventeen years, he came to Waterloo, Iowa, and for four years was employed in the City Mills, now a part of the Union Mill Company. Subsequently he went to Charles City, Floyd county, Iowa, and there rented and operated a mill for two years. On the expiration of that period he returned to Waterloo and for three years remained in the service of the Leavitt & Johnson Bank, while subsequently he went to La Porte City, this county, being there employed as a grain buyer for two years. After returning to Waterloo he spent a short time with an implement firm and then went to Independence, Buchanan county, this state, where he worked for one year in the office of the McCormick Machine Company and was afterward employed as general agent for a period of sixteen years.
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